To the Editor:
Today, wealthy corporations and special interest groups can spend limitless sums of money to influence our elections. It’s not surprising that more than seven in 10 voters believe our elections are “biased in favor of the candidate with the most money” (http://tinyurl.com/ j2e8eag). The size of your wallet shouldn’t determine the strength of your voice.
The proposed “Democracy for All” Amendment is designed to get big money out of politics. We are grateful to U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, for co-sponsoring this important legislation. We are proud to have a representative that stands up for the voices of everyday Americans in a political system often dominated by corporations and billionaires. We hope that soon U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, will add their support as well.
Political speech is for all of us, not just those who can give thousands to super PACs. The enormous influence of corporations and billionaires is deeply troubling: it allows weapons manufacturers to force the government to continue to spend billions of tax dollars on excessive nuclear weapons when we already have the capacity to destroy all life on earth several times over. It allows billionaire fossil fuel giants to get legislators to vote against critically needed climate change legislation. It allows mega-conglomerate food producers to control laws protecting our food systems. It allows self-promoting industry groups like the NRA to prevent life-saving gun violence prevention programs from being enacted.
Join the Franciscan Peace Center for a free screening of “Pay to Play: Democracy’s High Stakes” at 6:30 p.m. on July 21. The film is an entertaining documentary about the corrupting influence of money in politics. The event will take place at The Canticle, home of the Sisters of St. Francis, 841 13th Ave. N., Clinton. For more information, visit www.ClintonFranciscans.com or call (563) 242-7611.Laura AndersonMarketing DirectorFranciscan Peace Center, Clinton

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